Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey

Angélica Rocha and Nehemias Calel, Guatemalan Fulbright Humphrey 2019 fellows during a program activity in Washington D.C. October 2019.

The Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey program is a professional exchange that combines postgraduate courses with professional development activities. This 10-month Fellowship is ideal for professionals in the mid-stage of their career who seek to develop a capacity or knowledge set that is currently not available in Guatemala.

The call for applications for the Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for 2021 is open from May 15, 2020 until August 1, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. EST.

About the program

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program was established in 1978, and brings leaders from approximately 140 countries from all world regions to the United States. This exchange program brings mid-career professionals with demonstrated leadership potential to the United States for non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development, and substantive professional collaboration with U.S. counterparts.

During their fellowship, Humphrey Fellows participate in non-degree study at approximately 13 host campuses across the United States and complete at least six weeks of a professional affiliation at a U.S.-based governmental, non-governmental, private sector or international organization. Through their academic and professional experiences, fellows gain knowledge about the United States, deepen their professional expertise and experience in their field, and expand their network to include U.S. and international counterparts.

The main program components are:

a) Academic study: Humphrey Fellows pursue tailored study programs at participating host institutions, where freedom from the requirements of a degree program gives each Fellow the flexibility to pursue a self-directed, individualized program at a host campus.
b) Leadership and Professional Development: Professional enrichment activities include professional visits, enhancement skills workshops, conferences, training programs, and a professional affiliation (placement). The professional affiliation provides firsthand exposure to a U.S. work environment on a full-time basis for a minimum period of six weeks.

*Note: On Substance Abuse Education, Prevention, and Treatment field: ECA cooperates with the National Institute on Drug Abuse which provides some co-funding to work with Humphrey Fellows in the field of substance abuse. Candidates must have either a research background in the field or demonstrated ability to learn the results and policy implications of current research.

Am I eligible for this scholarship?

Humphrey is a highly competitive program. Priority will be given to candidates with little or no previous experience in the United States. Applicants must fulfill all the following requirements to be eligible:

· Guatemalan citizen currently living in Guatemala. U.S. Citizens or permanent residents are not eligible.

· Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree (Licenciatura or ingeniería) or Masters.

· Have a minimum of five (5) years full-time professional experience (prior to August 2021) in the relevant field.

· Professionals working in one of the fields of study mentioned above.

· Grade point average (GPA) from 85 points out of 100 in the Guatemalan system or in the top 15% of their class at their last university degree. This must be proven with documents issued by the university.

· Advanced English level: spoken and written as demonstrated by a minimum TOEFL score of 525 (paper based) or 71 (internet-based). TOEFL score not required to apply.

· Leadership skills, highly motivated, capacity to adapt and potential for professional advancement.

· Demonstrate a commitment to public service through community service, volunteering or other activities.

· Candidates with little or no prior U.S. experience will have a priority.

· Be eligible for a J1 Visa.

· Committed to returning to Guatemala for at least two years after finishing the program in the United States and multiply knowledge from your professional field.

How to apply?

The 2021 applications are open and will close on August 1, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. EST.

Note: All documents must be submitted in English. It is ideal for candidates to submit a letter from their current employer indicating approval for the time away from work to participate in the program.

Application process

1. Interviews

Candidates selected to move on in the application process will be interviewed. Interviews will be held in English. All interview notifications are sent via email. Candidates should check their inbox on a regular basis. If you are not contacted to schedule an interview by October 1, 2020, you were not selected to move to the next stage. You will not receive a notice of non-selection.

2. Exams

Selected candidates will take the TOEFL and the GRE may be required in some cases. If you are selected to proceed to the testing stage, Fulbright will provide one voucher per person to cover the costs of the exam.

3. Selection process

If you are selected by the U.S. Embassy, you will move on to the next stage where profiles are reviewed by U.S.-based independent review panels. Finalists will be confirmed by February 2021.

4. Travel

Selected fellows will travel to the U.S. in mid-2021.

Which expenses are covered by the Fulbright Humphrey Scholarship?

This Scholarship covers the candidate’s expenses for the visa, travel, lodging, a stipend for meals, university fees and medical insurance. Dependents are not covered.

If I receive the Humphrey Scholarship, can my family travel with me to the U.S.?

Humphrey Fellows may bring dependents on J-2 visas to accompany them while in the United States, if approved. All expenses for J-2 dependents must be covered by the Fellow.